~VINCENZO~

Riccardo and Nico are angry at Elena's last statement.

Because what does she mean by we should let him go?

I am also angry but I don't show it, meanwhile Nico and Riccardo are overreacting.

But I don’t look at them.

My eyes stay on her.

She’s trembling… but standing her ground. Afraid… but still speaking. Soft… but strong in a way that makes my chest tighten.

I exhale slowly, a long, restrained release of all the violence sitting under my skin.

“Elena,” I say quietly, “this man doesn’t deserve to walk out of here. Not especially when he has seen our faces.”

She swallows. “But I don’t want...